The rapid tapping of piano keys, the sounds of screeching violin strings, the evil Gregorian chants echoing through the night. These sounds can only mean one thing. There's another classic horror movie on t.v!

With Halloween night just over three weeks away we'll be seeing plenty of classic horror films airing on television. As scary as these movies can be to watch it's the theme songs that can be just as terrifying to listen to.

I've put together a list of the 13 greatest horror movie themes songs of all time below. Give each a listen and then make your choice....As if your life depends on it!


  • 1

    Amityville Horror

    Composer: Lalo Schifrin

    This classic horror theme song works much like the actual story of 'Amityville Horror'. The music begins with a peaceful, pleasant and relaxing arrangement. It's welcoming you into your new home with open arms. After about 30 seconds, however, the music and plot takes a dark turn. Your dream house has just become the house of horrors.

  • 2

    The Exorcist

    Composer: Mike Oldfield

    'The Exorcist' has been called the scariest movie of all time. It's hard to argue that. The film's eerie theme song is no doubt just as scary. It's the very simple yet bone-chilling piano opening that would go on to become the standard in horror film theme songs.

  • 3

    Friday The 13th

    Composer: Harry Manfredini

    I don't know which is scarier about the 'Friday The 13th' theme song - The music itself or the creepy "CHIH!-CHIH!...HA! HA!" chant. Either way this horror theme song is one of the scariest and most recognizable in movie history.

  • 4

    Halloween

    Composer: John Carpenter

    John Carpenter not only directed the horror classic 'Halloween' but he also wrote this frightening theme song. Carpenter's iconic arrangement is driven by a simple piano tapping sequence that will chill you right to the bone.

  • 5

    Jaws

    Composer: John Williams

    'Jaws' director Stephen Spielberg needed music that would leave movie audiences paralyzed with fear. John Williams not only accomplished that goal but he also created what has become the quintessential horror theme song. Duh-nuh...Duh-nuh...Duh-nuh, DUH-NUH!!! DUH-NUH!!! DUH-NUH!!!

  • 6

    Nightmare On Elm Street

    Composer: Charles Bernstein

    Whatever you do, don't fall asleep while listening to this eerie 80s horror film theme classic.

    Composer Charles Bernstein created a sound that perfectly fit the theme of 'Nightmare On Elm Street' led by it's main character Freddie Krueger who terrorized teens in their sleep. It's truly a demented children's lullaby.

  • 7

    Night Of The Living Dead

    Composer: Spencer Moore

    This may be the oldest of the theme songs on the list but it hasn't lost any of its creepiness. Originally used for the 1968 horror classic 'Night Of The Living Dead' this song continues to give horror fans a chill. Imagine how scary this must have sounded back in'68 to a hippy movie-goer tripping on acid.

  • 8

    The Omen

    Composer: Jerry Goldsmith

    Composer Jerry Goldsmith wanted to create a Satanic version of a Gregorian chant when he wrote this piece entitled "Ave Satani". That is Latin for Hail Satan. O.K. I need to move on to the next song 'cuz this one really gives me the willies.

  • 9

    Psycho

    Composer: Bernard Herrmann

    Alfred Hitchcock set the standard for horror films with his use of camera angles, lighting and scenery. His 1960 movie 'Psycho' had all those elements plus a "killer" theme song. Composer Bernard Herrmann's violin-screeching theme is as recognizable as the infamous shower scene itself.

  • 10

    The Ring

    Composer: Hans Zimmer

    Much like 'Halloween' and 'The Exorcist' the theme song to 'The Ring' uses the piano to evoke fear in moviegoers. There's a hauntingly beautiful orchestral arrangement that follows but when the violent violin strokes kick in the music goes from hauntingly beautiful to just plain haunting.

  • 11

    Saw

    Composer: Charlie Clouser

    The 'Saw' theme song uses pieces of classic horror elements such as violins and piano while laying them over techno/industrial beats. The result is a theme song that is as scary as it is cool.

  • 12

    Scream

    Composer: Marco Beltrami

    The 'Scream' theme song works much like a great horror film. It starts softly before building up to a terrifying crescendo. It's...almost...as if...someone ...is...watching....AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

  • 13

    The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

    Composers: Wayne Bell, Tobe Hooper

    What in God's name are the sounds heard in this theme to 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'? Are they of an animal, a person, an object? Whatever the sounds are they set a horrific tone to an absolutely horrific horror film.

    This one gets my vote for being the scariest movie theme song of all time.

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